
New Zealand will return to number one in the world for the first time since September 2025 if they beat France by more than 15 points and South Africa lose by the same margin to England.
However, defeat will see the All Blacks drop one or two places depending on the score in Christchurch and Ireland’s result against Australia in Sydney.
A win by more than 15 points will lift France above Ireland and New Zealand into second place, unless the Irish match that victory margin.
Les Bleus have not been as high as second since they lost to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final.
France can only fall from fourth place if they lose by more than 15 points and England beat South Africa by the same margin, a scenario which would see England jump two places to fourth.
Fifth is possible for Argentina, Australia and Scotland, while Fiji could go as high as seventh if they beat Wales by more than 15 points.
Japan will swap places with a beaten Wales if they are victorious against Italy in Tokyo.
Uruguay will reach a new high of 13th if they beat Georgia by more than 15 points in the Nations Cup.
Both Spain and the USA could drop as many as three places if beaten by Canada and Portugal, respectively.
Chile could also reach a new high with victory over Romania, for whom defeat could result in a new low of 25th.
A new high is also possible for Zimbabwe if they can beat Tonga.
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